Well tool apparatus



Jan. 24, i967 J. s. PAGE, .JR

WELL TOOL APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 17, 1954 BY A Jan. 24,1967 1.5. PAGE, JR

WELL TOOL APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 17, 1964 INVENTOR. JUA/N5a 5E BY ,rra/QMEVJ.

Jan. 24, 1967 J. s. PAGE, .JR

WELL TOOL APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 17, 1964 INVENTOR.

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EL M Jan. 24, 1967 J. s. PAGE, JR

WELL TOOL APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet Il Filed Jan. 17, 1964 INVENTR.

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BYZMJ f /W rraeA/Es/Qr.

Jan. 24, 1967 .1.s. PAGE, JR

WELL TOOL APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IZG.

Filed Jan. 17, 1964 Jam 24, 1967 .s. PAGE, JR

WELL TOOL APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 17, 1964 INVENTOR. Jo/A/5. P06-E Je United States Patent O 3,299,955 WELL TOUL APPARATUS John S.Page, lr., Long Beach, Calif., assignor to .lohn S. Page, Sr. Filed aan.17, 1964, ser. No. 338,331 33 Claims. (Cl.16648) This invention relatesgenerally to the control of fluid flow in a well, and more specificallyhas to do with well tool apparatus and methods used to control bypassingof fluid with respect to a well packer and into or out of the .annulusoutside a string of tubing.

In the completion, production and treating of oil and gas wells itbecomes desirable at certain times to establish intercommunicationbetween upper and lower zones in the well outside the tubing andseparated by a packer; however, when the packer has been set in positionto seal off between the tubing and the well base, the establishment ofsuch intercommunication becomes a problem. One way of meeting thisdifficulty is to unset the packer by manipulation of the tubingsupporting the packer, but this in turn presents the additional problemof removal of the well head with consequent expenditures of considerabletime and eiort. Another method of establishing such intercommunicationis to lower a wire line tool into proximity to a valve operable in thewell to control the desired uid flow; however, wire line manipulationimposes additional dilculties including the considerable time andexpense of running the line into and out of the well` One object of theinvention is to overcome the above difficulties to the end thatintercommunication between packer separated upper and lower zones in awell and outside the tubing may be quickly established without welltubing or wire line manipulation and without unsetting of the packer.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide an assembly including apacker that can be set hydraulically, which will allow for tensionapplication to the tubing string without disruption of the packerfunction, and which will allow ready removal of the packer withoutdrilling it out. rCertain prior installations suffer from thedisadvantage of requiring application of tubing weight for efectingpacker compression and expansion to set condition. This earlier methodof setting causes the tubing to buckle between the packer and the wellhead, resulting in increased diiculty of running service tools throughthe buckled tubing. Also, in shallow wells, there is oftentimesinsuflicient tubing in the well to provide suicient weight for settingthe packer. The latter condition has been met by using permanentpackers, but these typically must be drilled out for removal from thewell.

In its broader aspects, the novel apparatus contemplated by theinvention and its mode of operation may be characterized as comprising asub body connectible in a pipe string, a packer carried to seal off theannulus or annular zone between the well bore and said sub body, thebody being ported to pass uid between the body interior and the annulusat one end at least of the packer, and valving carried by the body formovement between body port opening and closing positions. The valvingalso has an opening through which well fluid flows endwise with respectto the sub body, and in addition the valving is exposed to transmitfluid created pressure acting to move the valving between port openingand closing positions.

Typically, the sub body is tubular and has upper and lower side portingto by-pass fluid around the packer via the body interior, the valvingalso being tubular and carried for axial movement in the body between alower position in which the lower side porting is open and an upperposition in which the lower side porting is closed. As a result, theinterior valving may be externally exposed to ICC the upper porting toreceive lesser or greater control fluid pressure acting downwardly inthe annular zone between the tubing string and well bore, such pressuretending to move the valving downwardly to accommodate by-passing of theflow around the set packer, while the valving also remains exposed toupward ow within the well tubing. When the valve is in lower or openposition, lluid can be pumped down the annulus to by-pass the setpacker, to ow downward to the bottom of the tubing string and then backup the tubing, thus filling the well with fluid to the lowest desireddepth. Accordingly, if mud is enabled to ow in this manner the well maybe killed, or if water, oil or nitrogen are used the well may be broughtinto flowing condition. Also, acid or treating Huid may be introducedinto the well in this manner.

As will appear, the apparatus is so constructed with an interior seatfor receiving a primary plug as to block downward flow of well fluid inthe string for building up pressure lacting to unbalance the valve fordisplacing it upwardly to close the lower side porting, all withoutunsetting the packer. ln this valve closed position, the elements of thecombination are in condition for normally producing the well. Anadditional interior seat accommodates reception of another :plugoperable to block downward ow of well fluid in the string for buildingup pressure acting to displace the valve downwardly to open the lowerside porting.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the pressure acting in thestring to displace the valve upwardly in such a way as to effectexpansion of the packer into engagement with the well bore, as well assub body supporting connection to the well bore. As will appear, stringuid pressure responsive actuator structure is typically provided to moveupwardly for expanding the packer and upwardly spreading lower slips togrip the casing. Additionally actuator structure may be exposed tostring Huid pressure to effect downward spreading of upper slips abovethe packer, thereby to anchor the string tubing and sub body againstupward displacement while the packer remains set and the valving isoperable and closable. Accordingly, the packer may remain setindependently of tubing tension and weight application.

A further object of the invention is to provide for release of the upperor anchor slips to allow upward withdrawal of the string and release ofthe packer and lower slips, when the body side port valving is open. Aswill be seen, a tubular insert capable of lowering in the string isprovided with an outlet for flowing high pressure fluid through arupturable element and against the additional or upper actuatorstructure to release the slips, the insert having a locating shoulder toposition it axially with respect to the valving, for performance of theupper slip releasing function. Thus, the invention provides for readyremoval of a packer which is settable independently of tubing tensionand weight application.

The invention also embraces novel and unusual methods for controlling awell into which a string of production tubing is run, the stringsupporting slip, packer and valve assemblies characterized as operablein the broad manner described above. Typical steps included in theunusual method of well contro-l include running the string into the wellwith the by-passing valve assembly in open condition, and thenintroducing suficient fluid pressure into the string to operate theslips for anchoring the string to the casing, to operate the packer forpacking off between the string and casing, and to operate the valve toshut oil by-passing communication around the packer. Valving operationto shut-olf the by-pass typically involves the steps including closingoff the string at a location proximate the said assemblies by dropping aplug in the string for descent to said location, and then building upfluid pressure in the string labove the plug to displace the valve toshut-olf position, at which time the well may be produced.

Further steps in the novel and unusual method sequence compriseintroducing suflicient fluid pressure into the well to operate the valveto open up by-passing communication around t-he packer, and introducinguid into the well space outside the tubing to by-pass the packer inflowing downwardly to enter the string below the packer, and then toflow upwardly in the string, as in killing or treating the well.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as thedetails of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understoodfrom the following detailed description of the drawings.

FIGS. l, 1a and lb are elevation views of upper, intermediate and lowersections of a sub incorporating the invention 'and connected in a tubingstring being run into a well;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation showing a rupturable meansto release upper slips seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken through a well into which the tubingstring and sub have been run, with the sub in position to be set inorder to pack off between the sub body and well casing;

FIGS. 4, 4a and 4b are elevation views of upper, intermediate and lowersections of the novel sub after it has been set in position and with thefluid pressure responsive sleeve valve in closed position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken on line 5 5 of FIG. 4a;

FIG. 6 is an elevation View of the intermediate section of the set sub,showing the sleeve valve downwardly displaced to open position;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 9 and 9a are elevation views of upper and intermediate sections ofthe sub into which an insert has been run to release the upper or anchorslips resisting upward withdrawal of the string;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary enlargement showing the manner in which highpressure fluid is introduced from the run-in insert to the sub in orderto effect release of the upper slips;

FIGS. 1l, 11a and 11b are elevation views of a modified upper section ofthe sub; and

FIG. l2 is an enlarged fragmentary showing of the modied manner in whichhigh pressure uid may be released to release the upper slips as seen inthe sub of FIGS. 11, 11a and 11b.

Referring first to FIGS. l, la and 1b, the representative well toolapparatus is shown being run downwardly into `a well 10 which is casedat 11. The apparatus comprises a generally endwise extending tubularbody 12 including sections 12a, 12b, 12e and 12d which areinterconnected in sequence at threaded joints 13, 14 and 15. -It will beunderstood in this connection that the tool apparatus is in the form ofa sub 150 connected in a string of tubing lowered in a Well and betterseen at 16 in FIG. 3. Suitable connections are made between the sub andthe tubing, one such threaded connection being indicated at 17 in FIG.1b.

The tubular body carries what may be referred to as packer meansgenerally indicated at 18 in FIG. 1a, the packer including endwisecornpressible ring sections 18a, 1gb, 18C, 18d separated by metal rings19, 20 and 21. These elements are in turn mounted on the body section12b between an upper shoulder 22 and a lower cornpression ring 23 whichis also mounted on the body section 12b. It Will be understood that thepacker elastomer sections 18a through 18d may be subjected to expansioninto sealing engagement with the casing bore in response to upwarddisplacement of the ring 23 relative to the shoulder 22. In this regard,the actuator ring 23 may be urged upwardly by an actuator sleeve 24slidably mounted upon the body section 12e. Reference to FIG. 4a willshow the packer 18 expanded Ias described, and sealing olf the annularZone between the casing bore and the tubular body 12.

The body section 12b is seen in FIG. 1a to have porting to pass lluidgenerally between the said zone or annulus at one end at least of thepacker and the body interior. More specifically, the body has upper andlower side porting indicated at 25 and 26 to by-pass lluid between upperand lower annular zones 27 and 28, around the packer, and via the 'bodyinterior as for example the annular passage 29. The latter is formedbetween the bore 30 of the body section 12b and the periphery of asleeve valve 31 received within the body.

The sleeve valve may .be characterized as carried by the body formovement between -a lirst posiiton in whichi side porting is closed, anda second position in which the side porting is open. Thus, as seen inFIG. la the sideI porting is open, a suitable port 32 in the actuatorsleeve'y 24 communicating between the zone 2S and the lower port 26 inthe body section 12b. `On the other hand, in FIG. 4a the lower side port26 is closed, the valving being in its ySio-called lirst position. Asthere appears, the valving includes a cylindrical closure 33 and endwisespaced annular seals 34 and 35, all retained between the valve flange 36Iand a retainer ring 37 so as to be movable endwise: with the valve. Theseals 34 and 35 engage the bore of the body section 12b as the valvemoves endwise, whereby the cylindrical closure 33 blocks or closes thelower port 26 which is sealed olf from the interior passage 29 as. seenin FIG. 4a.

It will also Vbe noted that the valving means 31 contains an openinggenerally indicated at 39 to pass well iluidl p endwise therethrough,and typically during production of the well under the conditions shownin FIG. 4a. In this ,l y

regard, the bore 39 of the valve `may be generally of the same dimensionas the bore of the tubing string 16, whereby suitable tools may be rundownwardly through the subi-ncluding the body 12 and the valve 31. It isalso to be noted that the valving means is exposed for transmitting uidcre-ated pressure acting to move it between its lower an-d upperpositions, such fluid pressure exertion being generally indicate-d bythe arrow 40 in FIG. 4a. As illustrated, the valve has a downwardlyfacing .annular shoulder 41 for receiving upward pressure exertionacting to unbalance the valve `from the position shown in FIG. 1a,driving it upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 4a at such time thatclosure of the valving means is desired. For this purpose .a primaryplug, as Ifor example a Iball 42 seen in FIG. 4b, may be droppeddownwardly in the tubing strin-g to engage the interior port forming.se-at 43 to block downward flow of well fluid. When sufficient pressureis then pumped downwardly through the string, as by operation of thepump 44 in FIG. 3, the valving means 31 will be displaced from its lowerto its upper position.

FIGS. 1a and 4a also illustrate one lform of latching mechanism `forreleasably holdin-g the valving ymea-ns in each of said upper and l-owerpositions. Typically, the latching mechanism means includes inwardlyflexible vertically elongated iingers 45 depending from the valve means`and having outwardly facing terminal latch .shoulders 46. The fingersare circularly spaced in such manner that the latch shoulders 46 areengageable with upper and lower annular shoulders 47 and 48 on the bodysection 12C. Accordingly, when sufficient upward lluid pressure isexerted on the valving means, the latch shoulders 46 on the iingers caminwardly to dise-ngage the lower shoulder 48, allowing the valve to moveupwardly to the FIG. 4a position, at which time the latch .shoulders 46spring outwardly to engage the upwardly facing shoulders 47 on the body.The latter prevent downward movement of the closed valve -until suchtime as suicient downward force is exerted on the valve.

Such downward .force application as referred to may be effected in themanner shown in FIG. `6, as by introducing a secondary plug into thestring 16, and allowing the plu-g t-o drop and engage the interior portIforming seat 49 for blocking downward flow of well fluid through thevalving means. Typically, the plug may comprise a ball 50 as shown, andof larger diameter than the bore 39 of the valving means. Since thevalve periphery is sealed off at 51 from the stepped or reduced bore 52of the body section 12b, suficient fluid pressure pumped into the stringand exerted downwardly in the direction of the arrow 53 in FIG. 6 willbe transmitted by the plug to the valve and overcomes the resistance todownward displacement of the valve imposed by the latchin-g 4meansdescribed above, with the result that the valve will move t-o its lowerposition in the sub body, as seen in FIG. `6. The ball plugs 42 and Silreferred .to above .may be pu-mped into and out of the tubing string attimes when opening and closing of the v-alve is desired, and after thepacker 18 has been set in the casing.

As mentioned in the introduction,the invention contemplates theconnection of the sub body to the well bore and expansion of the packerinto sealing engagement therewith in order that the valve means -may beoperated in response -to uid pressure exertion, all without unsetting ofthe packer. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the means operable to effectbody supporting -connection with the well bore includes outwardlyspreadable upper slips above the packer, and as for example are showngenerally at 60, the slips in FIG. 1 being retracted from engagementwith the bore, whereas they have been spread into engagement with thebore in FIG. 4. The slips lare carried by a cylindrical actuator 61, byvirtue of a conventional socalled T-slot connection `62 retaining theupper portions 63 of the slips while accommodating outward spreading ofthe lower portions carrying wickers or seri-ations 64 operable to Igripthe casing bore. Actuator 61 is carrie-d by the upper body section 12a,havin-g sealable sliding engagement therewith at the locati-ons 65, 66and 67. Furthermore, the actuator is exposable to fluid pressure withinthe body interior and communicated lto the actuator piston face 168 viaa duct 69 through the body wall. Accordingly, when the primary plug 42is seated -at 43, and sufficient fluid pressure is pumped into thetubing above the plug, the piston face 68 is displaced downwardlyrelative to the reaction flange 70 on the body 12a, thereby to displacethe slips 60 downwardly. yOutward spreading of the downward travelingslips occurs by wedging action effected by the tapered su-rfaces 71 ofthe cone member 72 carried on `the sub body. As is clear, slots 73 arecut -at intervals around the cone member t-o receive the circularlyspaced slips, and slot clearance is provided at 74 to be taken up by thedownward terminals of the slips as they `travel downwardly and spreadoutwardly to the position shown in FIG. 4. When the slips firmly eng-agethe casing, upward thrust transmitted by the sub body section .12b tothe cone tmember 72 is then transmitted to the slips and.

to the casing, yfirmly anchoring the sub body against upward removal asmight otherwise -occur during setting of the packer and anchoring of thelower slips.

Turning now to FIGS. lb and 4b, means is provided to effect the abovedescribed outward spreading of the lower slips and expansion of thepacker, as for example when downward flow of well fluid in the string isblocked by the primary plug 42. Here again, slips 3l) are formed to havewedge surface engagement at 81 with a cone member 82; however, thelatter member is vertically slidable at the interface 83 and on the subbody section 12C in order to transmit upward thrust to the actuatorsleeve 24 operable to compress the packer as described above. The slipshave T-slot interconnection at 84 with the lower actuator 85, the latterhaving a piston face 86 to which pressure fluid is transmitted via theduct 87 in the sub body section wall. When sufficient pressure is thuscommunicated from the sub bore to theI piston face 86, the actuatortravels upwardly after shearing the pin 88 interconnecting the actuatorand the reaction flange 89 on the sub section 12d. The actuator hassealing and sliding engagement with the periphery of the section 12d atthe locations 90 and 91. Upward travel of the slips 80 effects theiroutward spreading on the cone member and also compression of the packerby force transmission to the cone member and actuator sleeve 24. As aresult, the slip wickers or serrations 92 rrnly grip and anchor againstthe casing bore as seen in FIG. 4b.

Release of the lower slips when upward withdrawal of the tool is desiredoccurs by virtue of such upward withdrawal carrying the cone member 82out from under the slips 80. On the other hand, upward withdrawal of thetubing string is prevented by the upper slips unless their release isotherwise effected. It is another feature of the invention to providefor such release of the upper slips at times when upward withdrawal ofthe string and unsetting of the packer is desired. In this regard, FIGS.1 and 4 show the provision of an additional duct 95 in the body uppersection 12a through which fluid pressure may be communicated to thedownwardly presented piston face 96 of the actuator 61, the lattertypically including ring 61a and nut 61h. In addition, rupturable meansis provided as indicated at 97 to block flow of predetermined highpressure fluid through the side port in less than sufficient quantity toeffect the upper slips release. Such rupturable means is better seen inFIGS. 2 and 10 to include a rupturable diaphragm 98 retained between anut 99 threaded into the reaction flange 70 and a retainer 10i) which isducted at 191. Accordingly when fluid pressure of suicient magnitude isexerted upon the diaphragm 98, it ruptures to admit the high fluidpressure into the space 1132 for upward exertion of fluid pressureagainst the piston face 96, driving the actuator 61 upwardly to retractthe slips 69 from the cone member '72. As a result, the upper slips `arereleased to allow upward withdrawal of the tubing string and the tool.

Reference to FIGS. 9 and 9a will show the method whereby high pressurefluid is locally transmitted to the rupturable means 97 previouslyreferred to. As illustrated, an insert means 103 is lowered downwardlythrough the tubing string 16 for applying the high pressure fluid. Theinsert includes a tubular member 104 made up of endwise interconnectedtubular sections 194a- 1li-ff, section 104d being ported at 195 todeliver pressure through the side thereof. Another rupturable means 196is provided at the port 105 to block escape of high pressure fluid belowa predetermined level. Accordingly, pressure fluid may be pumped intothe string to drive the insert member 1114 downwardly therein and intothe position shown in FIGS. 9 and 9a, without rupturing the means 106.Pressure cups, typically formed of rubber, are shown at 197 and 108 onthe insert section 104a, `and opening upwardly to receive pressureapplication for driving the insert downwardly within the tubing.

During such downward travel of the insert, fluid encountered below theinsert passes upwardly therein through the by-pass pipes 109 and 110,the latter exhausting at 111 into the tubing just below the cups 107 and108. The flexible wipers 112 on the cups allow relative upward passageof such liquid discharge as the insert moves downwardly. Cup 140 onsection 104e seals against the tubing bore to assure entrance of fluidinto pipe 109.

As seen in FIGS. 9 and 9a, the insert has a shoulder 113 proximate thelower terminal of the section 104f, and located in such manner as toinsure straddling of the duct 95 and rupturable means 97 by pressurecups 114 and 115 as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10 when the insert downwardtravel is arrested. As a result, high pressure fluid discharging throughthe rupturable means 106 has access to the rupturable means 97. Inaccordance with another` feature and unusual advantage of the invention,the shoulder 113 engages the seat 49 formed in the valve means 31,thereby to drive valve means downwardly to its lower position in the subbody, at which time the rupturable means 106 and 97 are incommunication. Sufiicient fiuid pressure may then be pumped into andbuilt up in the tubing to pass downwardly through the insert and rupturethe means 1136, filling the space between the cups 114 and 115 above andbelow the level of the rupturable means 97. The cups seal off againstthe bore of the sub body section 12a to allow sufficient pressure buildup to rupture the means 97 in order to release the upper slips asdescribed. Thereafter, the tool and insert may both be upwardlywithdrawn with the tubing string.

Referring briefily back to FIG. l0, the rupturable means 1135 thereinshown is similar to that identified at 97 in the same figure. Thus, itincludes a rupturable diaphragm 11611 and a nut 116, retaining thediaphragm in position to be ruptured in response to the exertionthereagainst of sufficiently high fluid pressure. Fluid then exhauststhrough the port 117, the rupture diaphragm, and a port 118 in the nut,for application to the rupturable means 97 in the sub body.

Referring now to a typical operation involving the use Iot the novelapparatus, reference will be made first to FIG. 3 showing the tool afterit has been run downwardly in the well along with the tubing string 16to which it is connected as a sub. During the running-in process, thevalve 31 is nromally in the position shown in FIGS. l, la and 1b, sothat uid in the annulus `and between the sub and the casing may by-passthe packer. After the running-in of the tool, it is set in position byspreading the slips and extending the packer as previously described,fiuid pressure being pumped into the string as by pump 44, to effectthis step. Such fluid pressure may also be used to operate the valve 31into shut-01T condition whereby communication around the packer throughthe passage 29 is blocked, as seen in FIGS. 4, 4a and 4b.

The pressure introducing step may be considered as including the closingoff of the string at a location proximate the packer, slip and valveassemblies, as by droppin-g a plug in the string for descent to saidlocation, and then building up fluid pressure in the string above theplug to displace the valve to shut-olf position. Un-der theseconditions, the well is normally ready for production. A further step inthe overall method includes introducing sufficient uid pressure into thewell to operate the valve opening up by-passing communication around thepacker. This step may be carried out by closing ofi the string as wouldoccur |by dropping a plug in the string for descent to said location andthen building up the fluid pressure in the string above the plug todisplace the valve to open position. See for example the description inconnection with FIGS. 4b and 6.

Fluid may then be introduced into the Well space outside the string, asfor example by operating pump 120 in FIG. 3, the downwardly flowingfiuid by-passing the packer to enter the string therebelow, all withoutdisplacement of the set packer or manipulation of a wire line in thestring. Such fluid may comprise drilling mu-d introduced to kill thewell, in which event the mud may also fiow upwardly in the string fromthe lower extremity thereof. The fluid might also comprise water pumpedinto the annulus to induce well production of petroleum.

` Alternatively, the fiuid might comprise acid introduced Y to treat theformation Ibelow the packer.

When such fluid is pumped into the annulus, it will be seen from FIG. 1athat the iuid may flow downwardly through the upper port 25 andoutwardly through tb: lower port 26. At the same time, it exertshydrostatic pressure downwardly against the valve at the location 37 inFIG. 1b to hold the valve in open condition. Accordingly, inadvertantclosin-g of the valve is additionally resisted by the weight of thefluid :being pumped downwardly in the annulus.

Referring finally to FIGS. 1l, 11a, 11b and 12, a modified rupturablemeans is indicated at 123 in a position to release auxiliary fiuidpressure from the confined space 124 When the cone member 125 is forceddownwardly relative to the sub body section 12e shown. For this purpose,high pressure fiuid is delivered through the port 126 in the section 12eto drive the piston face 127 of the cone member nut 128 downwar-dly, asbetter seen in FIG. 1lb. The confined fluid 124 which normally blocksdownward travel of the cone member is then exhausted through therupturable means 123 when the pressure of said confined fluid reaches apredetermined high level. The rupturable means 123, which is better seenin FIG. 12, is similar to that shown at 97 in FIG. 10, but is located atthe upper terminal of the cone member in the space between successiveslips arranged circularly about the axis 129. A duct 130 communicatesbetween the space containing the fiuid 124 and said rupturab-le means.Setting of the upper slips 131 by fiuid pressure exertion throu-gh theport 132 is carried out as seen in FIG. 11a in a manner similar to thatdescribed in connection with FIG. 1.

I claim:

1. Well tool apparatus of the character descri-bed, cornprising agenerally endwise extending tubular body adapted for connection in apipe string to be lowered in a well, packer means carried for sealingoff the annular Zone between the well bore and said body, the bodyhaving porting to pass fluid between said zone at one end at least ofsaid packer and the `body interior, and valving -means carried by thebody for vertical movement between a first position in which the portingis closed and a second position in which the porting is open, saidvalving means containing an opening to pass well fluid endwisetherethrough, the :body carrying an interior port forming seat toreceive a primary plug acting to block downward ow of well fiuid, thevalving means being exposed to the body interior to receive applicationof well fluid pressure acting to move the valving means verticallyupwardly between said positions Awhen downward flow of well fluid in thestring is blocked by said primary plug.

Z. Well tool apparatus of the character described, comprising agenerally tubular axially extending body adapted for connection in apipe string to be lowered in a well, the body having a passage to fiowwell fluid therethrough, packer means carried for sealing off theannular zone between the well `bore and said body, the body having sideporting to pass fluid between said zone at one end at least of saidpacker and the body interior, and generally tubular valving meanscarried for axial movement in the body between a first position in whichthe side porting is closed and a second position in which the porting isopen, said valving means containing an interior opening to pass fluidendwise therethrough, the body carrying an interior port forming seat toreceive a primary plug acting to block downward flow of well fluid, thevalving means being exposed to the body interior to receive applicationof well fluid pressure acting to move the valving means verticallyupwardly between said positions when downward fiow of well fluid in thestring is blocked by said primary plug.

3. Well tool apparatus of the character described, comprisin g agenerally endwise extending tubular body adapted for connection in apipe string to be lowered in a well, packer means carried for expansionsealing off the annular zone between the -well bore and said body, othermeans movable to effect body supporting connection with the well boreand expansion of the packer, the body having porting to pass fiuidbetween said zone at one end at least of said packer and the bodyinterior, and valving means carried for movement in the `body .between afirst position in which the porting is closed and a second position inwhich the porting is open, said valving means containing an opening topass well fiuid endwise therethrough, said valving means and other meansbeing exposed for transmitting fluid created pressure acting within thestring to move the valving means between said positions and to so movesaid other means.

4. Well tool apparatus of the character described, comprising agenerally tubular axially extending body adapted for connection in apipe string to be lowered in a well, the body having a passage to iiowwell uid, packer means carried for sealing off the annular zone betweenthe well bore and sai-d body, the body having side porting to pass fluidbetween said zone at one end at least of said packer and the bodyinterior, and generally tubular valving means carried for axial movementin the body between a first position in which the side porting is closedand a second position in which the side porting is open, said valvingmeans containing an opening to pass fluid endwise therethrough, the bodyhaving an interior port forming seat to receive a primary plug acting toblock downward flow of well fluid, the valving means bein-g exposed tothe body interior to receive application of well uid pressure acting to-move the valving means in one direction between said positions whendownward flo-w of well fluid is blocked by said primary plug, thevalving means having a port forming seat to receive a secondary plugacting to block downward fiow of well fluid through the valving meansand transmitting pressure acting to move the valving means in theopposite direction between said positions.

5. Well tool apparatus of the character described, comprising agenerally tubular and vertically axially extending body adapted forconnection in a pipe string to be lowered in a Well, the body having apassage to flow well fluid therethrou-gh, packer means carried forsealing off the annular zone between the well -bore and said body, thebody having upper and lower side porting to by-pass fluid in said zonearound said packer -means via the body interior, and generally tubularvalving means carried for axial movement in the body between a lowerposition in which the lower side porting is open and an upper positionin which the lower side porting is closed, said valving means containingan opening to pass fluid endwise therethrough, said body having aninterior port forming seat below said valving means to receive a primaryplug acting to block downward fiow of well fluid, the valving meansbeing exposed to the body interior to receive application of well fluidpressure acting to move the valving means upwardly to said upperposition when downward fiow of well fluid in the string is blocked bysaid primary plug.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim in which said valving means hasdownward fluid pressure receiving extent, and upward fluid pressurereceiving extent greater than said downward fluid pressure receivingextent.

7. Apparatus as defined in Vclairn 5 in which said body has stops tolimit vertical travel of said valving means at said upper and lowerpositions.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said valving means has aport forming seat to receive said closure in the form of a secondaryplug acting to block downward flow of well fluid through the tubularvalving means and transmitting pressure acting to move the valving meansdownwardly into said lower position.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including balls comprising saidprimary and secondary plugs.

10. Apparatus as dened in claim S including latching mechanism forreleasably holding the valving means in each of said upper and lowerpositions,

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 in which said latching mechanisminclu-des inwardly flexible vertically elongated fingers on the valvemeans and having outwardly facing terminal latch shoulders, and upperand lower annular shoulders on said body to engage said latch shoulders.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 including means carried by said bodyand operable to effect body supporting connection with the well bore andexpansion of the packer into sealing engagement with the well bore, saidlast named means including outwardly spreadable lower slips below thepacker, and fluid pressure responsive lower actuator structure exposableto fluid pressure within said body and movable upwardly to effectoutward spreading of the slips and expansion of the packer when downwardflow of Iwell fiuid in the string is blocked by said primary plug.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 in which said last named means alsoincludes outwardly spreadable upper slips above the packer, and fluidpressure responsive upper actuator structure exposable to fluid pressurewithin said body and movable to effect outward spreading of the upperslips when downward flow of well fluid in the string is blocked -by saidprimary plu-g.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 in which said last named meansincludes a tubular extension of said body having a first side port tocommunicate fluid pressure in the string to said upper actuatorstructure for moving it in one axial direction effecting spreading ofthe upper slips, said exte-nsion having a second side port tocommunicate high fluid pressure in the string to said upper actuatorstructure for moving it in the opposite axial direction effectingrelease of the upper slips, and rupturable means blocking ow ofpredetermined high pressure fiuid through said second side port in lessthan sufficient quantity to effect said upper slips release.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 in which said rupturable means is at saidsecond port.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 in which said rupturable means is at anauxiliary fluid pressure release duct to release a confined supply ofsaid auxiliary fiuid blocking movement of said upper actuator structurein said opposite axial direction.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 14 including insert means movabledownwardly into said tubular extension to locally supply high pressurefluid to said second side port.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17 in which said insert means includesa tubular member having an outlet for flowing high pressure fluid fromwithin said member to the exterior thereof to enter said second sideport in said extension, sealing cups carried by said member to seal offbetween said member and extension above and below said outlet, a flowline to lby-pass fluid within said extension around said cups, and ashoulder to transmit force acting to locate the insert with respect tosaid valving.

19. For combination in a string of well tubing, a generally tubular andvertically axially extending body, outwardly sprea-dable slips carriedby the body, fluid pressure responsive actuator structure exposable tofiuid pressure within the body and movable generally axially to effectoutward spreading of the slips into body supporting connection with thewell bore, said body having a first side port to communicate fiuidpressure in the string to said actuator structure for moving it in oneaxial direction effecting spreading of the slips, sai-rl body having asecond side port to communicate relatively high fluid pressure in thestring to said actuator structure for moving it in the opposite axialdirection effecting release of said slips, and rupturable means at saidsecond port blocking flow of predetermined high pressure fluid throughsaid second side port in less than sufiicient quantity to effect saidslip release. 4,------ 2t). In the method of controlling a well intowhich a string of production tubing is run, the string supporting slip,packer and valve assemblies characterized as operable respectively toanchor the string to the casing, to pack-off between the string andcasing and to control vertical by-passing around the packer of fluid inthe annular space between the string and casing, the valve assembly alsocharacterized as fiuid pressure operable, `the steps that includerunning the string int-o the well with the valve assembly in opencondition, then introducing sufficient fiuid pressure into the stringfor communication to said assemblies to operate the slips for anchoringthe string to the casing, to operate the packer for packing ofrr betweenthe string and casing, Iand to operate the valve to shunt oft`by-passing communication around the packer, and including the furtherstep of introducing sufcient uid pressure into the well to operate thevalve opening up by-passing communication around the packer.

21. The method of claim 20 in which said irst recited pressureintroducing step includes closing off the string lat a locationproximate said assemblies by dropping a plug in the string for descentto said location, and then building up uid pressure in the string abovesaid plug to displace the valve to shut-olf position.

22. The method of claim 20 in which said further step is carried out byclosing -oi the string at a location proximate said assemblies bydropping a plug in the string for descent to said location, and thenbuil-ding up fluid pressude in the string above the plug to displace thevalve to open position.

23. The method of claim 22 including introducing iluid into the wellspace outside the string to by-pass the pack-er, t-o enter the stringbelow the packer and to flow upwardly in the string.

24. The method of claim 20 in which Said further step is carried out byintroducing uid into the well space outside the string to build up uidpressure therein for displacing the valve to open position andthereafter to bypass the packer as the uid Hows downwardly in the well.

25. The method of claim 24 in which said uid comprises drilling mudintroduced to kill the well.

26. The method of claim 24 in which said fluid com- -prises Waterintroduced to enter the string below the packer and flow upwardly in thestring to ind/lga/welhproduction f regeleme- M27."'Ihriethod of claim 24in which said Huid comppises acid introduced to treat the formati-onbelow the paclem" VYVV -28;"'Tn sub-combination, a generaly tubularaxially extending body adapted for connection in a pipe string to belowered in a well, the body having a side port to pass the flow of welliluid between the body exterior `and interior, and generally tubularvalving means carried for axial movement in the body between a firstposition in which said fluid flow through the side port is blocked and asecond position in which said fluid flow through the side port isunblocked, the body carrying an interior port forming seat to receive aprimary plug acting to block downward ow of well fluid, the valvingmeans Ahaving surface extent exposed to the body interior to receiveapplication of well fluid pressure acting to move the valving means inone direction between said positions when downward ilow of well duid isblocked by the primary plug, the valving means having a port formingseat to receive a secondary plug acting to block downward ilow of welluid through the valving means and transmitting pressure acting to movethe valving means in the opposite direction between said positions.

29. The combination of claim 2S in which the body -has stops to limitvertical travel of said valving means -at said upper and lowerpositions.

`30. The combination of claim 28 including balls comprising said primaryand secondary plugs.

31. Well tool apparatus of the character described, comprising a`gener-ally tubular and vertically axially extending body adapted forconnection in a pipe string to be lowered in a well, the body having apassage to ilow well fluid therethrough, packer means carried forsealing of the annular zone between the well bore and said body, thebody having upper and lower side porting to by-pass uid in said zonearound said packer means via the body interior, and generally tubularvalving means carried for axial movement in the body between a lowerposition in which the lower side porting is open and an upper positionin which the lower side porting is closed, said valving means containingan opening -to pass Quid endwise therethrough, the valving means beingexposed to the body interior to seat a closure acting to close saidopening and to transmit fluid created pressure for moving said valvingmeans between said positions, s-aid valving means being exposed to saidupper porting to receive fluid pressure actin-g downward in said Zoneand through said upper porting tending to move said valving meansdownwardly to said lower position.

32. For combination in a string of well tubing, a generally tubular andvertically axially extending body, outwardly spreadable slips carried bythe body, fluid pr-essure responsive actuator structure exposable tofluid pressure within the body and movable generally axially to effectoutward spreading of the slips into body supporting connection with thewell bore, said body having a rst side port to communicate tluidpressure in the string to said actuator structure for moving it in oneaxial direction etecting spreading of the slips, said body having asecond side port to communicate relatively high Huid pressure in thestring to said actuator structure for moving it in the opposite axialdirection etecting release of said slips, and repturable means blockingow of predetermined high fluid pressure through said second side port inless than suicient quantity to effect said slip release, saidru-pturable means being at an auxiliary tluird pressure release duct torelease `a confined supply of said auxiliary uid blocking movement ofsaid actuator structure in said opposite axial direction.

33. For combination in a string of well tubing, a generally tubular andvertically axially extending body, o-utwardly spredable slips carried bythe body, fluid pressure responsive actuator structure exposable tofluid pressure within the body Iand movable generally axially to effectoutward spreading of the slips into body supporting connection with thewell bore, said body having a first side port to communicate Huidpressure in the string to said actuator structure for moving it in oneaxial direction effecting spreading of the slips, said Ibody having asecond side port to communicate relatively high fluid pressure in thestring to said actuator structure for moving it in the opposite axialdirection effecting release of said slips, and insert means movabledownwardly into said tubular extension to locally supply high pressureHuid to said second side port, said insert means including a tubularmember having an outlet for owing high pressure uid from Within saidmember to the exterior thereof to enter said second side port in saidextension, sealing cups carried by said member to seal off between saidmember and extension above and below said outlet, a flow line to-by-pass fluid within said extension laround said cups, and a shoulderto transmit force acting to locate the insert with respect to saidvalving.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,795,281 6/1957Christian 166--129 3,118,502 1/ 1964 Cochran 166-129 3,122,205 2/ 1964Brown et al. 1616-,120

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

D. BROWN, Assistant Examiner` STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATEy OFCORRECTION Patent No. 3 299,955 January Z4 196i John S.`Page, Jr.,

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read ascorrected below In the heading to the printed specification, line 3,

for "assigner to" read assignor of 50% to column l1, linel 2, for"shunt" read shut column l2, line 37, for "spredable" read spreadableSigned and sealed this 24th day of October 1967.

Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

20. IN THE METHOD OF CONTROLLING A WELL INTO WHICH A STRING OFPRODUCTION TUBING IS RUN, THE STRING SUPPORTING SLIP, PACKER AND VALVEASSEMBLIES CHARACTERIZED AS OPERABLE RESPECTIVELY TO ANCHOR THE STRINGTO THE CASING, TO PACK-OFF BETWEEN THE STRING AND CASING AND TO CONTROLVERTICAL BY-PASSING AROUND THE PACKER OF FLUID IN THE ANNULAR SPACEBETWEEN THE STRING AND CASING, THE VALVE ASSEMBLY ALSO CHARACTERIZED ASFLUID PRESSURE OPERABLE, THE STEPS THAT INCLUDE RUNNING THE STRING INTOTHE WELL WITH THE STEPS THAT INCLUDE RUNNING THE STRING INTO THE WELLING SUFFICIENT FLUID PRESSURE INTO THE STRING FOR COMMUNICATION TO SAIDASSEMBLIES TO OPERATE THE SLIPS FOR ANCHORING THE STRING TO THE CASING,TO OPERATE THE PACKER FOR PACKING OFF BETWEEN THE STRING AND CASING, ANDTO OPERATE THE VALVE TO SHUNT OFF BY-PASSING COMMUNICATION AROUND THEPACKER, AND INCLUDING THE FURTHER STEP OF INTRODUC-